Farm trespass: Activists face 24k fine, jail under proposed WA laws
Trespassing animal activists could face a $24,000 fine and jail time under proposed changes to Western Australian laws. It comes after Victoria’s nine-month inquiry failed to address changes to the state’s own trespass laws.
TRESPASSING animal activists could be fined up to $24,000 and jailed for two years under proposed changes to Western Australian laws.
The Western Australian Government is currently seeking community feedback on its new Animal Welfare and Trespass Legislation Amendment Bill 2020.
Under the bill, a person who trespasses on an farm, abattoir or knackery in circumstances of aggravation — which includes interfering or intending to interfere with production, or assaulting, intimidating or harassing a person — will face two years imprisonment and a $24,000 fine.
A court may also impose a misconduct restraining order on the offender to protect a person or family who were affected.
Trespass without aggravating factors would have a penalty of 12 months imprisonment and a $12,000 fine.
It comes after Victorian farmers slammed a nine-month state inquiry into animal activism’s impact on animal agriculture for its recommendations not addressing trespass laws.
NSW increased penalties for aggravated trespass on agricultural land last year to $13,200 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment.
If an offender is accompanied by two or more people or does anything to seriously risk the safety of someone on the land, the penalty is up to $22,000 and/or up to three years imprisonment. The state also introduced penalties for inciting aggravated trespass.
Western Australia’s draft bill also makes amendments to the Animal Welfare Act, granting animal welfare inspectors the power to enter an intensive production place, abattoir or knackery at any time to monitor compliance.
The consultation document states the “integrated approach” of addressing trespass and animal welfare is designed to “deter the harmful and illegal ‘monitoring’ practices employed by some activists, while simultaneously strengthening regulators’ capacity to undertake lawful monitoring activities at certain facilities”.
Community consultation on the draft bill closes on Monday, 30 March.
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